Kobe (15 free-throw attempts) feels 'a lot quicker'

Kobe Bryant hasn't wanted to say much about his improved health entering this season, but he specified after the first exhibition game Monday night that his 15 free-throw attempts in 30 minutes of play were representative of how he feels.

Bryant, who was limited by his right knee last season, said he feels "a lot quicker" this season and believes it will be "a huge plus" for the Lakers this season.

Lakers coach Mike Brown said Bryant has put on enough shows in training-camp practices to sell him on Bryant's potency on offense.

"He's done some things in practice that kind of wow you at times in terms of taking the ball to the basket strong and finishing with dunks in traffic and stuff like that," Brown said. "So, physically, he's fine."

Bryant did commit seven turnovers as the Lakers struggled to sort out their system issues at both ends. Bryant said there are some "muscle memory" lessons that need to be learned, including on defense -- where he was criticized by Brown for lack of precision.

"I like the pieces that we have," Bryant said before adding that there is "a lot of room for improvement."

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